Combined ignition coil and switch



May 8; 1928. 1,669,136

T. L. LEE

COMEINED'IGNITION COIL AND SWITCH Filed June 9. 1927 Patented May 8,, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,669,136 PATENT OFFICE.

raom L. LEE, 0! ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO NORTH EAST ELECTRIC OOIPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

oomanmn rcn rrron con. annswrrcn.

Application filed June 8,

In order to render difiicult the theft of a motor vehicle, it is customary to control the ignition circuit or circuits of the vehicle b means of a switch which is normally locke 6' and which can be operated "only by the use of a suitable key. Where the switch and the ignition coil are made as separate units, connected by intermediate wires, it is an easy -matter to circumvent this precaution by I0 making a temporar I connection around the switch. According y, it has been proposed to enclose the switch the coil and the wires connecting them within a metal housing or enclosure of some kind, which will render .diflicult the necessary access to the terminals of the switch and the coil.

The present invention relates to a combined switch and ignition coil, constructed. and arranged in the general manner just referred to, and the purpose of the invention is to produce astructure which shall be simple, compact, eflicient and inexpensive.

To the foregoing end the invent-ion consists in the combined ignition coil and drawings and hereinafter a'rticularly described,.as it is defined in tiie claims which form a part of this specification.

In the accompan ing drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation o a combined switch and ignition coil embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a partly sectional side elevation of the same, and Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the combined structure as it is mounted upon the dash or instrument board of a motor vehicle.

The invention is illustrated as embodied in a structure in which the ignition coil comprises windings 5 placed upon a core member 6, the latter having a gene'rall recangular form. The coil is enclose between front and rear housing members 7 and 8, respectively, these members having side-flanges which rest against opposite sides of the core member 6. Rivets 9 pass throu h the fla 'es and the core member and, uss'ecure ese parts permanently together. A high-tension terminal member 10 member. t l

The front housing member 7 is embodied in a casting which also provides a support for the i 'ition switch, having for th-1s purpose a (fi wnward extension 11 with a flat rear surface. The switch comprises a base switch illustrated in the accompanyingis shown as mounted in the front housingsuitable terminals 13 are embedded, this base being fixed to the face of the support with the switch base is a 11. Cooperatin rotatable switc member, comprising a 00 spring-pressed contactor 14 which is brought into and out of engagement with the switch terminals by rotar .movement, in a wellknown manner. T e contactor is connected with the rotatable barrel of a lock 15, and a the contactor and the lock are supported, in proper relation with the switch base, by a housin 16. This housing entirely encloses the switch members and is attached to the switch support 11 by means of screws 17. 70 To provide space for concealed connections between the coil and the switch, the housing member 7 is provided with a forwardl recessed portion 18, and the primary win ing of the coil, as indicated in broken lines II in Fig. 2, is connected with the appropriate switch terminals by wires 19 which extend through the recess so provided.

r The combined coil and switch is designed to be mounted at the front or concealed surface of the dash or instrument board 20 of a vehicle, with the lock extending through and accessible from the rear or exposed face of the dash or instrument board, as shown in Fig. 3. For this purpose the front housing member 7 is provided with three perforated lugs 21, adapted to receive screw-bolts 22, which secure the coil and switch in place. Sleeves 23, surrounding the bolts, may be used to space the coil properly from the supporting surface.

It will be seen that the structure just described encloses the switch terminals and its connections with the coil entirely within metal members, which cannot be readily 4" separated unless the structure has first been removed entirel from the dash or instru ment board, an as this last operation involves substantial expenditure of time, the arrangement afi'ords security against unau-QL J thorized operation of the ignition apporatus. 1

The invention claimed is:

1., In a-combined switch and ignition coil, the combination of a coil, front and rear housing members embracing the coil, the

rear housing member having an extension beyond the front member, a switch base seated on the front of said extension, at movable switch member cooperating with tho switch base, a, separable switch housing fixed to the front of said extension, enclosing the switch members and having a forwardly open end to receive a look by which the 6 switch may be actuated, and connections, be-

tween the switch and the coil, enclosed and concealed with the rear housing. member and the switch housing.

2. In a combined switch and ignition coil, the combination of a, coil provided with a magnetic yoke, a housing member su porting the coil, enclosing the rear side t ereof and secured to said yoke, said member havmemes ing a projection beyond the yoke at one end a'switch housing mounted on the front 0 said projection, a switch enclosed within the switch housing and having insulated terminals projecting through said projection and accessible at the rear thereof, and connections, between the switch and -the ooil, enclosed and concealed within saidhousing member and the switch housing, the latter being open at the front to receive a lock by which the switch may be actuated.

THOMAS L. LEE. 

